The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced plans to modify the temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees within the EU. This statement was made in a letter to EU leaders ahead of the European Council summit.
In her correspondence, von der Leyen emphasized that the ongoing Russian invasion poses a significant threat to internal security across Europe. The EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine and its citizens during this crisis.
“We will provide protection to Ukrainians for as long as necessary while supporting Ukraine in its determination to defend itself against Russian aggression. Therefore, the European Commission will propose extending the temporary protection for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, while limiting its scope to ensure that any further extension does not undermine Ukraine’s legitimate ability to defend itself,” she stated.
Von der Leyen also highlighted the unprecedented measures the EU has taken since the onset of the full-scale invasion to restrict the entry of Russian citizens into EU countries. However, she noted that the effectiveness of these measures relies on their consistent and uniform application across all member states.
“The Commission is working on updated recommendations regarding visa issuance for Russian applicants and a list of accompanying documents. We will continue to counter security risks arising from hostile actions by third countries, proposing targeted visa restrictions as part of the upcoming review of the Visa Code,” von der Leyen added.
As of March 2026, approximately 4.38 million Ukrainians are under temporary protection in EU countries, having fled due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ursula von der Leyen has announced proposed modifications to the temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees in the EU, emphasizing ongoing support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. The EU's measures to restrict Russian entry will continue to be enforced uniformly across member states.